Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez fumbles as he is sacked by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Marcus Rush, right, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Denver. The 49ers recovered the fumble. Joe MahoneyAP

Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez fumbles as he is sacked by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Marcus Rush, right, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Denver. The 49ers recovered the fumble. Joe MahoneyAP

49ers snap counts: Busy game for guys named Marcus

Ray-Ray Armstrong had another solid game as he tries to emerge in a three-way battle for the 49ers' starting inside linebacker spot.

Armstrong looked particularly comfortable in space on a first-quarter throw to Broncos running back C.J. Anderson, which he stopped for no gain. Armstrong is taller and longer than the other two inside linebacker candidates. That’s a good trait to have in coverage, but he also has to concentrate on leverage when taking on blockers in the hole. As they did in the preseason opener, Armstrong, Gerald Hodges and Michael Wilhoite rotated throughout the game.

Hodges started, played 19 snaps and was credited with two tackles and a fumble recovery. However, he was out of place on Denver’s first touchdown run. Armstrong played 22 snaps and finished with a tackle; Wilhoite had 34 snaps and two tackles.

Shayne Skov ended up playing more than any other 49ers inside linebacker -- 41 plays -- and had three tackles. Nick Bellore again looked like a reserve worth keeping. He had four tackles, broke up a pass and had a fumble recovery before being helped off the field with a knee injury. There is no update yet on that injury.

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Safety Marcus Cromartie played more snaps, 53, than any other 49er. With L.J. McCray still recovering from a knee injury, the 49ers have a shortage of safeties. Cromartie played next to Jaquiski Tartt with the second-team defense -- McCray's usual spot -- and also had eight snaps on special teams, including as the gunner in punt coverage.

Outside linebacker Marcus Rush got into the game earlier than normal due to Aaron Lynch (eye poke) not playing and Eli Harold leaving after he collided with Tank Carradine. Rush made the most of his 44 snaps, finishing with three sacks and a forced fumble. After two weeks of the preseason, Rush's three sacks lead the NFL.

“I was going against Joe Staley so it gave me a chance to just work moves," said Rush to reporters after the game regarding his time on the practice squad last year. "I watch a lot of guys on film, guys like Von Miller. I’m just working on perfecting my craft of pass rushing. I know I have the ability to, it’s just a matter of perfecting it and having those main moves you can use, and being confident when you get on the field to be able to use them.”

About This Blog

Matt Barrows was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Sacramento Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green. Reach Barrows at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Twitter: @mattbarrows